Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Ecco Stays on Top of Conservation Goals with Rooftop Garden and Condensation Irrigation

Sophisticated yet casual Ecco in Midtown has always been ahead of the
restaurant industry's conservation efforts. Georgia's first dumpster-free
restaurant was also the state's first to receive Green Foodservice Alliance (GFA) certification.
The Fifth Group Restaurant continues to grow in
sustainability and environmental consciousness by adding eight new cedar beds
with "cold frame" structures to its rooftop garden, all of which are
covered with Agribon protective material. Farmer D Organics custom-built the beds and also
installed a new irrigation system with a 250-gallon food-grade tote capable of
containing 195 more gallons than the previous rain barrel. All of the water
filling the tote is collected from air conditioning condensation and pumped
through drip irrigation into the beds. City water and a timer also kick in when
needed for optimal moisture. When dining at Ecco be sure to ask what's in
season on the roof. Right now, Tuscan kale, broccoli rabe and Southern giant
curly mustard are growing for the restaurant's seasonally inspired menu.